Harvest Moon is a farming simulation video game series developed by Marvelous Entertainment. The first game in the series, titled Harvest Moon, was released in Japan in 1996 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) console. In the Harvest Moon series, players assume the role of a farmer who must manage their farm, grow crops, raise livestock, and interact with the other characters in the game. The series is known for its focus on simulation and management gameplay, as well as its light-hearted and relaxing atmosphere. Since the release of the first game, numerous Harvest Moon games have been released for various platforms, including home consoles, handheld consoles, and mobile devices. The series has become popular and has spawned a number of spin-off games and merchandise. In addition to the main series, Harvest Moon has inspired a number of similar games and franchises, including Stardew Valley and Story of Seasons.